HARPA DAY OF WODEN

Father and Yves headed off with Gustav and a dozen knights. I was not really surprised to be left together with my sisters.

Thankfully, Xenon was with us, or else I would have no one to rely on if my sisters drained the hell out of me when worse came to worst.

It had been almost a week since the last time I had seen him. I had no problems sneaking out in the garden since he had been busy with other matters but now it would be difficult again.

If the knight guarding my door alternated every month, it was Xenon who had been my personal knight ever since. He constantly tagged along with me whenever I got out of my chamber.

Our eyes met and he gave a quick bow. My gaze remained at him. He was definitely aware we were going to Deliora. I wondered how he was feeling.

"Goodness gracious! I still can't believe she came. How can Father agree to this?" said Erodessa, obviously not pleased with my presence.

I didn't need to ask who the 'her' was since it was definitely me. I was used to it.

"Look at her gown, it doesn't even suit her," commented Lian, looking sympathetically at me.

My tongue was itching to talk back to her. Gustav had prepared a proper wardrobe for me and I had a few decent formal gowns but there was nothing that suited a grand ball like the Twilight Party. Thanks to them, I even had to give up on that since they ruined those.

Now I was stuck with their charity and they made sure to give me their old-fashioned clothes. Even my regular dresses were much more comfortable but they were obstinate and the servants would dare not oppose them.

I was dressed in such a hideous gown adorned with frills and large bows. It was the color of mustard that was visibly unflattering to my fair complexion. Overall, even if I was not an expert I could tell that I was a fashion disaster with the cringing looks sent by the servants towards me.

After minutes of hearing their verbal abuse, the carriage finally arrived and they excitedly entered together with a maid. They were openly insulting me since the maid had already sat before me. I had no choice but to sit beside her since it was worse riding together with the coachman.

Xenon's presence was welcomed but there was also no way I could ride behind him or it would lead to a bigger scandal.

"You must be comfortable in your seat, Carline," remarked Erodessa.

"I'm sure she is, sister. It's obvious that's her place," followed by Lian's assertion.

They were giggling and whispering at each other. It was likely they thought I didn't know what they indicated. If a servant was together with their master in the carriage, they were required to sit opposite each other. But in cases like this, the servants should not be allowed inside. It was considered to be disrespectful and humiliating for the noble as it pertains to having equal status as them.

I just ignored them and focused my attention on the scenery outside. How I wish the carriage ride would be a lot faster.

***

The ride, mercifully, went smoothly. All they did was talk about senseless stuff and fully ignored me. It was better though than having their attention.

We were inside the gates of the palace of Deliora and I was still staring outside the window. The pathway was lined with Silvermist trees. A rare pine tree that had leaves as white as snow yet they managed to get the whole way filled with it. The carriage was near and I caught a glimpse of the palace.

When we were closer, the full view of the place filled my sight. It was astonishing. The palace of Deliora had been a subject for a lot of paintings because of its beauty but seeing it in front of me was enough to take my breath away.

The palace wall was designed with white brick stones that complimented the Silvermist trees. The frosted glass windows were engraved with an inordinate design that showed sophistication. Tall towers on the corners and making a perfect symmetry. It was enchanting as if the palace was in eternal winter.

"Wait, sister, have you heard about the rumor about the Crown Prince?" muttered Lian all of a sudden that made me glance at her.

"Now that you mentioned it, there is a strange rumor circulating among the ladies," said Erodessa and sounded a bit curious.

I became intrigued, too. I knew the Crown Prince was supposed to be the 'only' child of the King yet I had never seen nor had learned any rumors about him until now.

When it came to rumors, the ladies of the upper class were exceptionally talented in this area. It was actually much easier to gather information at parties rather than at the Throne Room. However, most of the time they were just baseless rumors to satisfy their boredom.

Lian was about to reply when the carriage stopped and the door opened. Xenon stepped aside with a man donning a servant uniform in tow.

"Good evening, Princesses of Ezriel, welcome to the palace of Deliora," greeted the manservant. Xenon opened the door wide and escorted us out of the carriage.

I went ahead first, being the nearest person to the door. I was stepping down when a loud ripping sound behind me. I turned and what awaited me was the frayed cloth on the backside of my dress.

The frills that laced on the trim of the dress now draped like an ugly trail. My eyes swiped on my sisters who were masking their smirks as I tried to endure the chagrin.

"Princess!" It was Xenon who rushed beside me.

All eyes laid upon me and my cheeks grew hot from mortification as fury boiled inside my body.

How can they be so childish even in front of other people? I thought in frustration as I kept myself from throwing dagger stares at them. Even the on-looking servants were startled at what occurred.

"Please let us lead you to the guest rooms so you could change, your highness," assisted the manservant who must be the steward of the palace.

I was about to agree but realized it was a good opportunity. I mustered the most expressionless air I could.

"Later, I want to be alone," I stated and held my head high before walking out from that embarrassment.

***

After ripping my gown until it reached above my knees, I found my way into the Knight's Circle. It was where the knights controlled everything in every inch of the palace. I sneaked at the windows and saw a few knights inside, some were slacking off while most were really diligent in their work.

I stealthily stayed on one of the pillars and waited for a knight to appear before me. There were quite a few ones that crossed by but based on their uniform, they were not from the higher-ups. They donned the color gray while those with higher positions had the exclusive white coats with golden embroideries from what I learned.

Finally, after a few more minutes, two white-uniformed knights appeared. I lifted my skirts and took the gloves from the small bag tied in my thigh. I wore it and positioned the needles in my hand.

I shadowed them until we were away from any bystanders. When I was sure we were far from earshot, I swiftly threw the needles. It was coated with poison that could paralyze their body.

I dragged both their bodies. I did not bother to ask for their name since they had a tag with them.

"My name is Ace, awaken."

My body slowly morphed into the person I was touching. He had a similar body frame as me seeing how skinny he was. I undressed him and took his clothes. After securing their bodies, I went ahead to hide my torn dress and went to the Knight Circle.

I slipped inside with ease. I was greeted by several but I just politely nod. I was not able to hear this body's voice so I was not able to copy it. I did not mind much since I didn't need to talk anyway.

I went to the control room and placed the device there. It was a timed bomb. It was small enough to damage the circuit and be hidden without suspicion. I set the timer and left the room. I got out and entered the adjacent room. It was time to desert this place.

***

"Awakening, dispel."

My physical appearance returned and I left the man's clothes behind as I changed into the damaged dress again.

"Done! I should get out of here right now," I said to myself and strolled to nowhere.

The party would start in the evening and I still had the time. My sisters must be busy preparing by now. I stared back at my dress again and I breathe in resignation. Good thing I was not like them who dedicated their whole life to this kind of party or I would not know what to do with this situation.

I really wanted to come here as Carline. Although I acted like nothing when it was announced and I suffered from Father's anger afterward, I was truly thrilled to be here.

All my missions were all over Ezriel and only at the borders of other kingdoms because of the limited time. It was my first time to be here and it exceeded my expectations. But since I found myself in this plight, my excitement dulled down. I guessed it was much easier to be Ace than be a princess.

Such an irony that I was a princess at birthright but it felt like I was better off being a thief.

The soft trickle of water caught my attention and I found myself in the garden. Or was this really a garden? Just like the rest of the palace, all the flowers, trees, and bushes were white. It seemed like there was nothing here that was not a color of white. Ahead of her was a beautiful fountain that was surrounded by, of course, white tulips.

Just simply seating beside it, I started feeling contented and peaceful while listening to the rushing of the water and the fragrance of the flowers surrounding me. I always calmed down and feel at ease whenever I was in a garden. It reminded me of the times when Mother was still alive and how she loved flowers.

I glanced up at the blue sky above slowly turning into different shades of orange. A smile crept into my face but precipitously vanished when I felt someone's gaze at me.

I scanned my surroundings and there was a rustling sound ensued by footsteps seconds later. I was on guard and was about to attack but I paused at the familiar figure.

"Carline, is that you?"

The woman had an exotic beauty that many ladies killed to have. She had silky black strands that reached her waist and olive skin that looked so flawless which complimented her violet eyes.

Wait, violet eyes? From what I remembered, she had blue eyes the last time we saw each other and it was just a few months ago.

"Willow?"

Her face brightened and quickly hugged me.

"Oh, that static! It's definitely you. I could never mistake you for anyone. I really miss you!"

A rare sound of laughter burst from me. It was what she unceasingly remarked when we met after I had this cursed situation. Every time she touched me, she would feel electric shocks in her skin. I momentarily forgot about her eyes so I delved into them.

"What happened to your eyes?"

"Yes, it's the same as you, right? Now I understand why King Enmir treasured you so much! Father was the same!"

That alarmed me but then I remembered her father was a doting one. Still, even Father was tolerable before my eyes became like this.

"Did he hurt you?"

She was giggling. "Of course not! Mother would skin him alive. He was just being absurd. I can't believe he wanted me to go blindfolded."

Unlike me, she was the one truly born sheltered. She grew into a loving family who would do everything for their child but that did not make her arrogant and spiteful. She was kind and friendly but she knew how to stand for herself too.

She was my only friend who even defended me from my sisters and the only person that could visit me since the King of Relandey personally requested it. As well as the fact that she was the fiancée of Yves so she was able to come from time to time.

"I was really surprised to see you here looking about to have a nap. Are you kidding me, Carline?" she teased, grinning.

I wonder what her magic was as I stared at her violet pupils twinkling with amusement.

"Anyhow, I'm so glad King Enmir let you out. I knew your illness is not infectious but your body is still weak. Nevertheless, I just realized that is strange... They told me we will never have an illness and our wounds heal quickly once we awaken. Since you awakened early, it's more impossible for you to get sick."

I opened my mouth to speak but Willow was already talking.

"By the by, did you know that the Crown Prince will be finally revealed? Isn't it noteworthy how the two of you will make their first appearance in public at the same time? Such coincidence since he disappeared the time you were isolated due to your illness, too."

I could not even ask what she meant earlier since she bombarded me with gossip. Willow surely had a bad habit of chatting nonstop. Though, I didn't mind the fact since she was a better conversationalist than me who had nothing to talk about.

"...Wait... This is rare. Where is Xenon?" She finally stopped and her eyes wandered around.

That reminded me. I was actually worried about his situation but I totally forgot about it because of what my sisters did earlier.

"He's at the palace," I answered and a chuckle erupted from Willow's lips.

"He's like a mother hen when it comes to you yet he's not with you now? How come he's leaving you, a sick person, to tend by yourself when it is your first time going out for a long while?"

"My body is not that fragile and he had things to do, too." I tried to calm her down as she was visibly annoyed.

Xenon was really a person who took his job seriously but he was not that inflexible. When I had times that I wanted to be alone, he let me. He knew that I could not leave anyway. At least, that was what I appreciate from him instead of letting me feel how truly like a trapped bird I was.

Without saying anything she grabbed my hand out of the blue and pulled me up from the floor. She stared at me from head to toe and back.

"I was really thinking something was off when I saw you a while ago and I just noticed it. It's your dress. Or is that even a dress? This was your first party and could be considered your debut but why are you looking like a ragged doll begging to be thrown. Did those bitches do something again?"

As usual, she really hated my sisters. They were the only ones who could piss the ever-cheerful Willow.

"It's fine. I'll just stay in my room," I replied since I really did not mind.

"No, you are going to mine," she announced.

"Why?"

"Wait and see."

I knew that look. She had that expression when we played dress up and her face right then was evidently similar.

"But the party will commence this evening and you have not started preparing either."

"Don't worry about me. We'll give them a grand entrance they would never forget." She winked, her eyes glittered with mischief as a wicked smile plastered on her face while I surrendered to her whims.

***

Note: Hi cutiefries! Thanks for reading. Dedicated this chapter to her, hope you enjoy (*¯︶¯*)

I really had fun making Willow's character and I hope you like her too!

The name 'Deliora' is actually from Fairy Tail and it just got stuck on me lol.

A small dedication as thanks for supporting this story Autobot2001.